My chicks are 7-5 weeks. I've been feeding the Purina starter/grower ( http://poultry.purinamills.com/OURPRODUCTS/Products/StartGrow/default.aspx)which goes to 18/20 (POL) weeks. I'd rather switch them to non-medicated (Dumor). What I can find for this brand is either the chick grower (to 10 weeks) or the finisher (10 to 18 weeks; http://www.tractorsupply.com/poultry-feed/dumor-reg-poultry-grower-finisher-15-feed-50-lb--5078171). So, my questions are: do these ages for the Dumor brand really matter before they start laying? Can I feed them all the finisher even though they aren't the recommended ages? Any problems with switching from medicated to non? Will their poo really stink MORE switching to this brand? I assume there is no issue with mixing feed if I wanted to down the road? TIA, Tikki
Many posters here keep their chicks on starter until egg production, so I'm following thier advice. The man at the feed store said the same thing. Hope that helps?
I use dumor can't really say their poo smells any worse after all none of it smells good. I started with the 24 % chick starter then down to the 20 % now they are on the finisher grower which is a 16 % protein.I did not use any medicated feed.But my birds have grown wonderfully.Their feathers are bright & shiny, they have also free ranged since 3 weeks as well. Most feeds are 16 % so I really don't see a problem.This is also how I will be doing my 2nd batch coming in a few days.I have been really lucky as I really haven't had any real problems alot of other people have had on here.One thing I do know is when these chicks arrive & I have no problems with them I will maintain a closed flock,to prevent some problems I have read about.Hope this helps.I had gotten 4 chicks from an npip person did not know at that time about quarintine procedure they had been on a 16 % feed they had been doing fine on it but really blossomed on the 20 % til the the switch. ( I got really lucky none got sick I suppose ). Some of this is a matter of personal preference.Find what will work for you & your chicks.
I don't think it matters that much. I've fed growing birds layer feed before in a pinch. It's all pretty similar stuff. I have a theory that its all kind of a gimmick--especially if your birds are free range or similar such tiny differences in the numbers don't really matter that much. I know others might feel differently, but that's my opinion, based on my experience. I can't speak to the medicated vs. non-medicated feed question--I only ever use organic non-medicated feed (and I might add, never have disease problems)...
Quote:The guy at my feed store (not TSC) told me to put them on Layena, and that was after I told him they were 7-5 weeks old.... I went with the starter/grower (which says on the bag goes to 18/20 weeks) again. I figure after they finish this bag, I can mix in the Dumor and see how it goes....
Quote:We started with medicated because that was the only kind of food the feed store where I got my chicks (chicks were "free" with x amount of food) had. I would have gotten them from TSC, but they were only getting in meaties and straight run. I have heard that Dumor is TSC's brand via Purina Mills, but don't haven't checked that. I agree with seeing how they do and going from there.
